EP1078821A2 - Fahrzeugdachhimmel und verwandte Artikel - Google Patents

Fahrzeugdachhimmel und verwandte Artikel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1078821A2
EP1078821A2 EP00307359A EP00307359A EP1078821A2 EP 1078821 A2 EP1078821 A2 EP 1078821A2 EP 00307359 A EP00307359 A EP 00307359A EP 00307359 A EP00307359 A EP 00307359A EP 1078821 A2 EP1078821 A2 EP 1078821A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
energy management
interior trim
trim product
automotive interior
array
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP00307359A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1078821A3 (de
EP1078821B1 (de
Inventor
George Lear Corporation Byma
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lear Corp
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Lear Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lear Corp filed Critical Lear Corp
Publication of EP1078821A2 publication Critical patent/EP1078821A2/de
Publication of EP1078821A3 publication Critical patent/EP1078821A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1078821B1 publication Critical patent/EP1078821B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/02—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
    • B32B3/10—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material
    • B32B3/12—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material characterised by a layer of regularly- arranged cells, e.g. a honeycomb structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C67/00—Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00
    • B29C67/0011—Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00 for shaping plates or sheets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
    • B32B3/10—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B37/00—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding
    • B32B37/14—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers
    • B32B37/146—Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers whereby one or more of the layers is a honeycomb structure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
    • F16F7/12—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members
    • F16F7/121—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members the members having a cellular, e.g. honeycomb, structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/02—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C43/021—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles characterised by the shape of the surface
    • B29C2043/023—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles characterised by the shape of the surface having a plurality of grooves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B29K2105/08—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
    • B29K2105/0809—Fabrics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/25—Solid
    • B29K2105/253—Preform
    • B29K2105/256—Sheets, plates, blanks or films
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2024/00—Articles with hollow walls
    • B29L2024/006—Articles with hollow walls multi-channelled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3005—Body finishings
    • B29L2031/3011—Roof linings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3005—Body finishings
    • B29L2031/3041—Trim panels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/60—Multitubular or multicompartmented articles, e.g. honeycomb
    • B29L2031/601—Multi-tubular articles, i.e. composed of a plurality of tubes
    • B29L2031/602—Multi-tubular articles, i.e. composed of a plurality of tubes composed of several elementary tubular elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/60—Multitubular or multicompartmented articles, e.g. honeycomb
    • B29L2031/608—Honeycomb structures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B38/00—Ancillary operations in connection with laminating processes
    • B32B38/0012—Mechanical treatment, e.g. roughening, deforming, stretching
    • B32B2038/0024—Crushing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2305/00—Condition, form or state of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2305/02—Cellular or porous
    • B32B2305/024—Honeycomb
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/10—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular acoustical properties
    • B32B2307/102—Insulating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/50—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
    • B32B2307/56—Damping, energy absorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2605/00—Vehicles
    • B32B2605/003—Interior finishings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/02—Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/02—Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners
    • B60R13/0212—Roof or head liners
    • B60R13/0225—Roof or head liners self supporting head liners
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
    • B60R13/0815—Acoustic or thermal insulation of passenger compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/02—Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners
    • B60R2013/0287—Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners integrating other functions or accessories
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24149—Honeycomb-like
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24273—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including aperture
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24488—Differential nonuniformity at margin
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24496—Foamed or cellular component
    • Y10T428/24504—Component comprises a polymer [e.g., rubber, etc.]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24942—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
    • Y10T428/2495—Thickness [relative or absolute]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24942—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
    • Y10T428/24992—Density or compression of components

Definitions

  • This invention relates to automotive vehicles and more particularly to materials and components for use in automotive vehicles, particularly as the interior trim for such vehicles, notably the materials used as lining materials for the driver and passenger seating locations in such a vehicle. More specifically the invention relates to a material and article for use as a headliner, ie a material and product for lining the region of the driver and passenger compartment roof which is in proximity to the heads of persons travelling in the vehicle and that provides cushioning.
  • a material and article for use as a headliner ie a material and product for lining the region of the driver and passenger compartment roof which is in proximity to the heads of persons travelling in the vehicle and that provides cushioning.
  • a material and article for use as a headliner ie a material and product for lining the region of the driver and passenger compartment roof which is in proximity to the heads of persons travelling in the vehicle and that provides cushioning.
  • a material and article for use as a headliner ie a material and product for lining the region of the driver and passenger compartment roof which is in proximity
  • Automotive headliners for current vehicle operating conditions are required to fulfill several functions. They need to present a cosmetically pleasing surface finish to the vehicle roof inside surface. They are also now required to provide energy management (arising from a requirement to absorb energy upon impact with the headliner by a person's head). They are also required to provide a degree of acoustic damping in order to reduce noise in the vehicle.
  • such structures should be of an integrated structure in which the headliner provides a structural function in terms of presenting a unified structure in which the parts of the structure which contribute to the overall energy-management and other functions are integrated into a generally one-piece structure which presents a unitary basis for providing the requisite structures and functions of a headliner.
  • a headliner requires a greater degree of energy management ability in those areas of its structure where the vehicle roof structure to which it is attached has the greatest stiffness and rigidity. Such areas are generally located somewhat laterally of the driver and front seat passenger(s), although other regions of the roof may also be particularly stiff or rigid and require a greater degree of energy management.
  • the vehicle roof structure is less rigid and more able to deflect (an example of which is the more central region of the roof structure of a vehicle in which the less-structurally braced roof panel is able to deflect under impact) the headliner itself does not need to provide a significant energy management level and a headliner which provides a lower energy management quotient can be accepted in such regions.
  • the requirements of a headliner structure which, in an integrated fashion, is required to span the driver/passenger head location region between and including these regions of varying stiffness and rigidity, likewise vary considerably.
  • the roof structure is the most rigid, the higher energy management requirements are imposed and required for the on the headliner and these corresponding regions of the headliner should have a corresponding higher or highest ability to absorb energy upon impact or like circumstances in order that the interior as a whole meets the requirements and new regulations.
  • a further energy absorbent headliner is proposed in EP 0,882,622.
  • This headliner again uses a foam material which is bonded onto a backing, or reinforcing sheet.
  • foam material which is bonded onto a backing, or reinforcing sheet.
  • additional separate foam panels are provide and bonded to the marginal areas of the headliner.
  • WO 97/32752 discloses a different type of headliner which comprises a plastic honeycomb core as opposed to the foam cores proposed in the above prior patents.
  • the objective of this configuration though is to provide a more easily recyclable headliner structure. Consequently problems associated with having to trim considerable amounts of excess material from the formed structure in order to produce the required shape of headliner are addressed by making the headliner material more easily recyclable.
  • energy absorbent properties are provided by this proposed structure or how, or even if, specific areas are provided with different energy absorbent properties. Indeed this proposal simply states that it provides good strength and acoustic characteristics.
  • plastic honeycomb structure described in this proposal would generally be expected, by virtue of the strength and stiffness of the honeycomb structure, to provide little or no energy absorbency.
  • the interior structure proposed is also relatively heavy and costly to produce since the entire uniform structure would be required to have the maximum required level of energy management/absorbency if it is to be adapted to comply with the new regulations and requirements.
  • a desirable object of the present invention is to provide materials and articles applicable to use as automotive headliners, and for analogous uses offering improvements in relation to efficacy and/or, ease of manufacture and/or ease of installation and/or simplicity of structure and/or versatility, efficacy and/or cost, weight and/or improvements generally.
  • One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is predicated on the use, to form an automotive headliner and in particular an energy absorbent core structure for an automotive headliner or similar, from a material formed by the joining of straw or tube-like polymeric elements into a coherent mass, for example a block or sheet.
  • a material formed by the joining of straw or tube-like polymeric elements into a coherent mass for example a block or sheet.
  • the polymeric tubes are caused to cohere by a suitable process of cohesion, for example heat-welding or thermal fusing.
  • Such materials are not new in themselves.
  • the general manufacturing process to fabricate such materials is thus also not unknown to the person versed in the art.
  • An example of such a material can be obtained from the firm Trauma-lite Limited of Manchester.
  • the aforesaid materials are initially formed in block or thick sheet format and then, for typical applications, that block or thick sheet is sliced or cut to produce a sheet or the like which can be conveniently used for applications in which the honeycomb format, the flexibility of the material, energy absorbent properties given by the tubular elements, and distinct method of manufacturing the material can be utilised to advantage.
  • honeycomb materials formed from individual tube-like polymeric elements which are fused together into a unitary structural member, differ substantially both in terms of construction, manufacture, and impact absorbing properties and mechanics from conventional foam materials generally used to provide for impact absorption within conventional headliner assemblies.
  • This material can to some degree and in some respects also be contrasted with conventional honeycomb materials which may also be used to form headliner or other trim assemblies and which are generally produced in very different ways.
  • conventional honeycomb there are however some similarities between a conventional honeycomb and the material of the kind described. Accordingly whilst some aspects of the invention, and the preferred arrangement, are related to the specific material of the kind described, the principles once appreciated in relation to this specific material, can be applied to other similar honeycomb materials and such materials can be accordingly adapted along the lines described.
  • This aspect of the present invention and its embodiments seek (inter alia) to utilise this material, and various advantageous qualities of the material, to provide a particular advantageous application of the material in order to improve significantly the efficiency of manufacture and/or installation and/or effectiveness in use of automotive interior trim components, particularly headliners and the like.
  • one broad general aspect of the invention is the use of such a material comprising a fused array of tube-like members to provide an energy management element of an automotive trim product, and in particular of a headliner.
  • an automotive trim product with the desired and required energy management capabilities is provided by the advantageous utilisation of the energy absorbing capabilities of the material of the kind described.
  • a particular feature of an automotive trim product incorporating an energy management core element comprising an array of fused tube-like members, forming a material of the kind described above, is of the array of fused tube-like members having, and being adapted to have, within the same, substantially one-piece, element integral selective regions (or portions) which are adapted to have different levels of energy management.
  • An energy management element in which integral selective regions (or portions) of the same, substantially one-piece, unitary element have different energy management properties provides a trim product which can match the localised different energy management requirements of the interior.
  • a trim product can be contrasted with conventional designs in which the energy management element provides uniform levels of energy management or, to provide different levels of energy management, additional, separate additional energy management elements (e.g. additional foam blocks) are generally added.
  • the physical properties may (in alternative and secondary embodiments) be varied by varying the physical properties of some of the tubular or straw-like elements of the one-piece unitary fused array and structure.
  • the cross-sectional diameter or major dimension (if not circular), and/or the wall thickness of those tube members could be varied.
  • the properties can be altered and selectively adjusted.
  • the material of the kind described can be provided with zones or areas of differing resilience and/or compressibility and/or other physical properties within the structure of a one-piece element whereby, by appropriate placement and choice of these zones in which tube-like members with different properties are used, the differing requirements of an automotive interior trim product such as a headliner can be conveniently accommodated in a unitary product element.
  • a product and a method of making same for example an automotive headliner which, in a one-piece unitary construction formed from a material of the kind described, there is provided the relative versatility of incorporating in the product zones of differing compressibility (and energy management) and/or other physical properties, in accordance with the many and varying differing design and layout aspects from one automotive vehicle interior to another.
  • the headliner is accordingly adapted to provide, and provides, a unitary structure with varying degrees of energy management according to the varying requirements from place to place of the interior.
  • the advantage is offered of reducing the cost of the material in those locations where such is possible.
  • the honeycomb structure varies from place to place in the product according to the localised requirements thereof, thereby reducing cost and increasing cost-effectiveness.
  • the material of the kind described, and honeycomb material in general when configured to provide a high degree of energy management function are costly to produce.
  • Use of separate, distinct sections of material tailored to provided different energy management functions to reduce the costs has the disadvantage of reducing the structural integrity.
  • the fused array of tube-like members forming the energy management element may comprise different individual types of tube-like members which are fused together into the unitary fused array.
  • the different types of tube-like members have differing physical properties, and so provide differing levels of energy management capability.
  • the material of the straw or tubular elements may be chosen by the skilled person according to the requirements of the particular application and in particular the tube-like members in different regions of the array may be of various different polymeric and/or other materials (generally plastics) with or without fillers and extenders and having different properties.
  • Materials to be considered include not only polypropylene but also polycarbonate, polyethylene and polyesters.
  • a suitable material may include polyurethane foam (or polymer fibres or other suitable acoustic materials) to serve as such filling.
  • the product requires an indicator providing information as to use and extent of use, then it is believed to be technically feasible to include within the product an impact-responsive dyestuff or the like which will produce a visible colour change upon the occurrence of a significant impact with the headliner or other article, so that the need for replacement after a vehicle impact or other event may be readily identified.
  • the energy management element comprising the array of fused tube-like members, comprising a honeycomb like assembly of the material of the kind described, is moulded to shape.
  • these embodiments of the invention are able to produce a dimensionally-accurate moulded structure according to the spacial requirements imposed by the dimensions and shape of the vehicle roof structure while nevertheless providing the required energy management functions in terms of an ability to absorb kinetic energy by deflection and/or buckling of the cross-sectional shape of the tubular elements upon impact.
  • the main structure of the product (for example an automotive interior trim product, in particular a headliner) is formed as a moulding-to-size of a sheet or the like element of a material of the kind described.
  • a headliner as a pre-moulded (to size) product from a material of the kind described there is provided an improved headliner which is better adapted to the physical requirements of the specific automotive interior location and is more efficiently manufactured and installed than the existing resilient materials which are currently used in this specific location, not to mention the fact that these latter materials are used in multi-piece format in order to accommodate the vagaries of the internal structure (including both vehicle strengthening frame elements and the like, and the sheet metal covering).
  • the headliner provided by this embodiment of the invention is moulded to the specific shape and size and may include, for example, a suitably shaped and sized pre-formed sun roof opening to accommodate that function where required.
  • Such an automotive interior trim product is moulded to shape and size, and may include suitably in-moulded openings such as for a sun roof, and which is in, preferably, one-piece format and requires no, or at least little/minimal (considerably less than with conventional methods), final trimming to-size on assembly.
  • the moulding process enables the production of a unitary structure having the required dimensional characteristics as mentioned above.
  • the moulding of the energy management element surprisingly and unexpectedly, has several additional distinct functions and advantages.
  • the moulding process can be adapted to cause the tubular elements to be permanently deformed in the required locations or zones or regions, so that the uniform cross-sectional shape of the tubular elements is at least in the outer (meaning opposite sides or upper or lower) regions of the headliner permanently deformed so as to change the structure of these tubular elements so that they are caused to have a reduced crushable or deformable cross-section and thereby their energy management function is likewise altered.
  • the moulding technique can be arranged and adapted to alter the energy management capability of selective regions of the energy management element as discussed above under the previous aspect of the invention.
  • this discovery of the ability of the tubular elements to provide a changed stiffness and energy management function in response to conditions and configurations adopted during moulding means that these embodiments of the invention are able to provide not only a moulded and integrated headliner having the required dimensional and format/configuration requirements, but also the product can be provided with energy management qualities, which may or may not vary from place to place, in accordance with the particular requirements of the intended use.
  • one broad aspect of the invention provides a moulded headliner structure.
  • the headliner structure is dimensioned and configured, at least in part by the moulding operation, to conform to the corresponding dimensional and configuration requirements of a vehicle roof structure.
  • Another broad aspect of the invention provides a vehicle headliner or the like in which an assembly of tubular elements is moulded to vary its physical characteristics such as crushability and/or deformability and/or stiffness or rigidity, according to the local requirements of the configuration of the vehicle roof structure.
  • Embodiments of the invention may also adopt an approach in which the energy management function of the headliner is varied by providing differing depth of the headliner in terms of differing thickness of the crushable or deformable tubular element cross-sections.
  • variation of depth may be provided by an approach in which the energy management function is varied by use of the moulding technique to modify or reduce the available crushable or deformable aggregate cross-section of the tubular elements, by modification of this latter factor during the moulding process of the headliner.
  • the moulding technique varies the available crushable depth of the material.
  • the depth can be varied in other ways.
  • an automotive interior trim product comprises an energy management element produced by moulding a sheet of honeycomb or other similar cellular type material with the moulding operation adapted to vary the localised energy management properties of particular regions of the moulded energy management element.
  • a further aspect of the invention relates to the use of blocks of the material of the kind described which are formed to the desired cross-sectional shape and size so that layers thereof removed, as in effect blanks for moulding or other manufacturing steps to produce a headliner of other trim panel, are already suitably sized and shaped.
  • Such can be formed by closely packing the tube-like elements into a suitably shaped former. When the elements packed in the former are fused together then the block of material produced, and the layers sliced therefrom will have a shape corresponding to the former. Consequently the layers sliced from the block (i.e. the blanks of material) to form the energy management element are of a near net shape as compared to the final headliner shape and dimension.
  • Previously proposed headliner structures for automotive use have been based on, for example, polyurethane within a fibreglass envelope wherein the envelope or surface layer or layers contributes significantly to the structural integrity of the headliner as a whole.
  • the material of the kind described used in the embodiments of the present invention offers improved structural integrity in it own right.
  • cover layers or panels for example of fibreglass or other material
  • cover panels or layers could also be provided in selective regions to provided localised structural strengthening.
  • cover layers or panels provide a more aesthetically pleasing surface and may also improve the acoustic properties.
  • cover panels or layers may be structurally attached to the fused array of tube-like members to form an I beam type structure. Such attachment may be achieved in a moulded product during the moulding operation. Alternatively the cover panels or layers may be laminated onto the layers of material (or blanks) sliced from the block.
  • FIG 1 there is shown an automobile roof 10 having a headliner 12 of the present invention installed therein.
  • the roof 10 includes internal rails 14 that provide strength along the side marginal areas of the automobile body from the front windshield area to the back window area. Edge areas of the headliner 12 are attached to the roof rails 14.
  • the headliner 12 in this embodiment is produced from a material formed by the joining of straw or tube-like polymeric elements 6 into a coherent mass, for example a block 16 or sheet 18.
  • the polymeric tubes 6 are caused to cohere by a suitable process of cohesion, for example heat-welding.
  • a suitable process of cohesion for example heat-welding.
  • Such materials are not new in themselves.
  • An example of such a material can be obtained from the firm Trauma-lite limited of Manchester.
  • a specific exemplary process and method for producing the headliner 12 is shown in schematic illustrative form in figure 2.
  • tubes 6 are manufactured from a thermoplastic material 2 such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, polyethylene or polyester for example by an extrusion process from a molten supply of the material 2, using an extruder 4. These tubes 6, of substantially uniform length, are then closely packed within a former assembly 8 as shown in step B. The closely packed arrangement of the tubes 6 within the former assembly 8 is shown in figure 4, which is a plan view of the arrangement of the tubes 6.
  • the former 8 and tubes as an assembly 10 are then transferred C to an oven 14. In the oven 14 the tubes 6 and former 8 are heated D such that the individual tubes 6 packed within the former 8 fuse together to form a unitary body or block 16.
  • the body or block 16 is removed E from the former 8 as a unitary fused entity.
  • the body or block 16 is then sliced F into multiple layers along lateral planes substantially perpendicular to the axes of the tubes 6 to produce a generally planar fused tube element 18.
  • number of fused tube planar elements 18, in the form of blanks can be produced in a cost effective and rapid manner from a single formed block structure. It begin appreciated that the forming of the block 16 from individual tubes is relatively time consuming and therefore by producing a number of elements from the block the individual time and cost to produce the required fused tube planar elements 18 is reduced.
  • the fused tube planar elements 18 are transferred G to a moulding apparatus 20 and heated either prior to, or during the moulding operation H in order to allow the fused element 18 to be moulded 18, and be deformed during moulding.
  • the moulding apparatus 20 comprises an upper 22 and lower 21 shaped platens which together complimentarily define the profile and shape of the headliner 12.
  • the fused tube planar elements 18 are interposed between the platens 21,22 and the platens 21,22 are brought together to sandwich the fused tube planar element 18 therebetween and mould H it to the required non-planar shape of the headliner 12.
  • the moulded fused tube planar elements 18 produced by the moulding operation H are removed from the mould apparatus 20 and may be trimmed and finished to final size in step I to produce the finished unitary headliner 12 assembly which can then be fitted as a unitary unit into a vehicle roof structure 10.
  • the moulding operation G,H bends the fused tube planar elements 18. This causes deformation of the fused tube planar element 18, the internal structure of the fused tube planar element 18 and in particular causes bucking of the walls 24 of the tubes 6 within the fused tube planar element 18. In addition the moulding alters the thickness of the element 18. During the moulding operation G,H, and as the platens 21,22 are closed on the fused tube planar element 18, portions of the fused tube planar element 18 are crushed and compressed. This causes a permanent deformation of that portion of the fused tube planar elements 18 with a result that the portion of fused tube planar elements 18 is made thinner than other areas which are not, or are less crushed.
  • the degree of crushing and compressing of the fused tube planar element 18 can be controlled by the complementary shape of the platens 21,22 and controlling the closing of the platens 21,22.
  • the result of the moulding operation G,H can be seen by comparing figures 5 and 6 which show respectively cross sections (along the axes of the tubes 6) through the fused tube planar elements 18 before and after the moulding operation G,H and clearly show the buckling of the tube elements 6 produced during the moulding G,H.
  • the deformation of the walls 24 of the tube-like elements of the fused tube planar element 18 in response to the moulding operation G,H is clearly shown.
  • This deformation and buckling of the walls 24 reduces the length of the tube like elements 6 and therefore the thickness of the fused tube planar element in that region.
  • the fused tube planar element 18 may be heated from one or both sides (upper and lower). Such different heating causes different deformation during moulding operation G, H.
  • the deformation produced by heating from the upper side (top) of the fused tube planar element is shown in region 60, whilst in region 62 the deformation produced by heating from both sides (top and bottom) is shown.
  • the most buckling of the walls 24 of the tube-like members 6 occurs during the moulding operation G,H where the thickness of the fused planar element 18, and so of the energy management element, is reduced the most by the moulding operation.
  • the moulding can also be carried out to bend, shape and deform the planar element from its planar form.
  • the walls 24 of the tube-like elements 6 in those regions where the fused planar element 18 is bent during the moulding operation will buckle and deform in an analogous fashion to that shown in figure 6.
  • the buckling of the tube-like elements 6 in such a situation allows the planar element 18 to be bent, deformed and shaped.
  • initial deformation and buckling of the fused tube planar elements 18 reduces their stiffness, and/or in effect increases the resilience, in a direction normal to the axes of the tubes 6 as compared to the unbuckled and deformed fused tube planar element 18.
  • an undeformed circular tube like member has a considerable stiffness and strength in an axial direction.
  • the cross section of the tube-like members 6 is altered from this circular or pure tube form, resulting in a commensurate reduction the inherent strength and so stiffness.
  • the resilience of the deformed structure is also increased since it is possible for the structure to bend and flex along the deformations and buckling lines produced during the deformation.
  • the level of buckling and deformation required to produce a required/desired stiffness and energy absorbent capability of the material, and the thickness to produce such a capability can be determined.
  • These levels of deformation and buckling can then be reproduced and the moulding apparatus 20 and moulding operation G,H suitably designed and varied to produce the desired level of deformation and buckling.
  • the fused tube planar elements 18 and/or individual sections thereof can be modified to provide the desired energy management properties.
  • the fused structure 18 has a significant structural strength and integrity due to its fused unitary nature.
  • the moulding operation does not significantly affect this with the result that the moulded fused structure and headliner 12 produced also have a significant structural strength and integrity.
  • This can be contrasted with conventional foam inserts and energy absorbent members which generally have a lower structural strength and require reinforcing.
  • the finished cross section of the headliner 12 is shown in outline detail in figure 3.
  • the thickness of the headliner 12 varies with thicker edge portions 26a, 26b.
  • the thicker edge portions 26a,26b provide increased energy management function in these regions where, due to the rail member of the roof structure increase protections and padding is required to be provided.
  • thinner sections 30 are also provided in order to provide space between the headliner 12 and the roof structure 10 to accommodate, for example, wiring or screen wash tubes etc which pass along the inside of the roof structure from the front to the rear of the vehicle.
  • a lower the energy management function is required to be provided by the headliner 12. Consequently the headliner can be thinner in these regions 28.
  • the thickness of the headliner 12 and variation in different regions will be dictated by the particular requirements of the vehicle within which the headliner 12 is installed. The variation is adjusted to provide the varied energy management function and also to shape the headliner 12 to the required shape to both fit in within the vehicle roof structure and accommodate other components within the roof.
  • This variation of the thickness of the headliner 12 is produced in this embodiment by the moulding operation G,H and the permanent deformation which both vary the energy management properties and capability, as explained above, of the various sections 26a,26b of the headliner 12.
  • a unitary fused tube planar element 18 is produced with different regions having different properties, which in turn can be used to provide the main core element of a headliner assembly 12.
  • This can be contrasted with prior art arrangements in which the energy management properties are varied by providing multiple separate additional inserts.
  • Such prior art arrangements are considerably more complex to produce and involve a larger number of individual elements, in particular separate additional impact absorbing foam elements, to make up an energy management element or core of a headliner 12.
  • the energy management properties of a unitary fused tube planar element, of the material of a kind described may be varied in selective regions in other ways.
  • tubes 6 of differing wall thicknesses could be produced, with some tubes 6a having a thicker wall 24a thickness t a than other tubes 6b with a thinner wall thickness t b .
  • These different types of tubes 6a,6b can be closely packed within the same frame 8 with the tubes 6a,6b with different wall thicknesses t a ,t b being packed in selected regions 47 corresponding to where different energy management functions and characteristics (eg. higher or lower) are required, for example in regions 47 corresponding to the edge portions 26a of the headliner 12.
  • the thinner walled tubes 6b which since they comprise less material by virtue of their thinner walls 24, are disposed in the remaining region 48 where less energy management function and impact absorbency is required.
  • the different tubes 6a,6b closely packed in the frame 8 are fused into a one piece unitary fused tube array element which is an integrated one piece structural element. In this case however some regions will have tubes 6 with differing wall thicknesses and therefore will provide different energy management properties. In particular those regions 47 which include the thicker tubes 6b will be stiffer and more robust by virtue of the thicker walls 24a and which provide different energy management properties and respond differently to impact than the remaining region 48 with thinner walled tubes 6a. In this way, and in part by virtue of the way the fused array is produced from individual tube elements (i.e. the way the material of the kind is produced) the element can be tailored to match the specific energy management requirements in a cost effective way.
  • tubes 6a,6b of different wall thicknesses t a ,t b tubes 6 d ,6 e of different diameters d d ,d e could be used in different regions 45,46 as shown in figure 9. Again such an arrangement cost effectively produces in a unitary integrated structure regions of selectively different energy management characteristics, which can be matched to the required energy management requirements. It will also be appreciated that the different dimensions, thickness, and wall thickness of the tubes 6 effects the density and weight of the structure. Accordingly by using different diameter, wall thickness etc. the weight and cost can be varied (reduced) where different energy management requirements allow. This is in contrast to a uniform structures and in some respects allow such honeycomb materials to be cost effectively used in a practical arrangement.
  • different tubes made of compatible, but different materials could be used in different regions.
  • the different materials used for the different tubes having different properties and provide different energy management characteristics in the different regions where they are used within the unitary integrated structural element.
  • the selective variation of the energy management properties can also be achieved by selective filling (either partial or complete) of selected of the tubes 6. Such filling will effect how the tubes 6 deform as they are crushed under an impact load thereby varying the energy management characteristics.
  • the former 8 into which the tubes 6 are closely packed can be of a generally rectangular shape.
  • Such generally rectangular fused tube planar elements 18 will then need to be trimmed to size and shape in order to produce the finished headliner 12 which conforms and fits within the vehicle roof 10.
  • a former 8' of a more complex shape as shown for example in figure 7, could be used.
  • an alternative former or frame 8' within which the tubes 6 are closely packed could have a shape and outline generally corresponding to the required shape of the headliner 12 to be produced.
  • suitable apertures (required for the sunroof, or other fittings) within the fused tube element produced can be defined using plug sections 42,41 within the former or frame 8'.
  • plug sections 41,42 would have a shape corresponding to the aperture to be provided in the element produced.
  • plug section 41 has a shape corresponding to the aperture for a sunroof and plug section 42 has a shape corresponding to the aperture for the interior light fitting.
  • These plug sections 41,42 occupy some of the space 43 within the former 8', with the tubes 6 being closely packed around the plug sections 41,42.
  • a fused tube element of a near net shape which is generally of the required shape of the final headliner 12 can be directly produced. Consequently little or minimal further trimming is required and wastage of material is considerably reduced. Indeed it has been calculated that by directly producing a fused tube array in this way, with such a near net shape, a 15 to 30% reduction in material required and wastage could be achieved.
  • a decorative covering can be added, attached, and fitted, over the moulded fused element in order to produce the finished headliner with a suitable appearance.
  • Suitable coverings are well known to those in the art along with suitable methods for applying such coverings. It is mentioned however that the coverings may, in particular embodiments, be preferably added and fitted during the moulding operation G,H. This could be done by interposing the cover material between the fused tube planar element 18 and the platen or platens 21,22. During the moulding operation H this cover material can be bonded to the fused tube planar element 18, due to the moulding pressure and adhesive which may be applied on the cover material. Alternatively the cover material could be applied to the fused planar element prior to the moulding operation H and laminated onto the fused planar element. Suitable methods for attaching cover materials are well known in the art and accordingly any conventional suitable method could be used.
  • cover panels 50,52 could in further alternative embodiments be attached to the fused tube element, as shown for example in figure 10.
  • These cover panels 50,52 could be attached over the entire fused tube elements 18 on one or (as shown in figure 10) both sides or indeed at specific localised positions.
  • These cover panels 50,52 can be attached by similar means to the attachment of the decorative coverings and suitable methods for attaching them are generally well known in the art.
  • Such cover panels may be made for example from fibreglass, hemp, natural fibres or blends of fibres, would provide further structural strengthening with an I beam type configuration being defined by the cover panels 50,52 and the tube 6 walls 24.
  • the cover panels 50,52 also, by defining discrete enclosed chambers in conjunction with the tubes 6, improve the acoustic properties.
  • the cover panels 50,52 will also assist in distributing an impact load over the tubes 6 and tube walls 24.
  • tubes 6 have been described as being used to produce the fused element. Whilst such a cross sectional shape is preferable due to the strength of a circular cross section, it will be appreciated that other cross sectional shapes could be used.
  • the tubes 6, in other embodiments, could have for example a square, rectangular, octagonal, or other polygonal, cross sectional shape.
  • the tubes 6 could also possibly have an oval or other curved cross sectional shape.
  • the term tube-like and reference to tubes should therefore be construed, in the broadest aspects of the invention, in general terms to refer to any substantially hollow elongate member, of which relatively short laterally connected lengths may be used to form, or be defined in, a coherent cellular structure.
  • the walls 24 of the tubes 6, walls forming the honeycomb or cellular structure, and axes of the tubes or cells defined extend generally in the direction of the anticipated impact force (i.e. as shown the tubes 6 extend through the thickness of the energy management element 12).
  • the impact force generally occurs and is applied normal to the facing surface of the energy management element.
  • the walls 24 of the tubes 6 or walls forming the honeycomb or cellular structure collapsibly deform and/or buckle under the impact load.
  • the structure which includes voids defined by the tubular elements is crushed and crushable under impact. As they deform or buckle and the structure is crushed the energy of the impact is absorbed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
EP00307359A 1999-08-27 2000-08-25 Fahrzeugdachhimmel und verwandte Artikel Expired - Lifetime EP1078821B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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GB9920297A GB2353502A (en) 1999-08-27 1999-08-27 Vehicle trim products
GB9920297 1999-08-27

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EP1078821A2 true EP1078821A2 (de) 2001-02-28
EP1078821A3 EP1078821A3 (de) 2002-01-16
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EP0787578A2 (de) * 1996-02-05 1997-08-06 C.A. Greiner & Söhne Gesellschaft M.B.H. Mehrlagiges Bauelement und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung
DE29607262U1 (de) * 1996-04-22 1997-08-21 Plastifol GmbH & Co. KG, 85560 Ebersberg Formteil
WO1999035007A1 (de) * 1998-01-09 1999-07-15 Rieter Automotive (International) Ag Ultraleichter, schall- und schockabsorbierender bausatz

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US6844055B1 (en) 1999-12-02 2005-01-18 Dow Global Technologies Inc. Hollow strandfoam and preparation thereof
US7300612B2 (en) 1999-12-02 2007-11-27 Dow Global Technologies Inc. Hollow strandfoam and preparation thereof
EP1852314A1 (de) * 2006-05-02 2007-11-07 Rieter Technologies AG Kraftfahrzeug Verkleidungselement mit kleinen Distanzelementen
WO2014079553A1 (de) * 2012-11-21 2014-05-30 Diehl Aircabin Gmbh Paneel und verfahren zur herstellung eines paneels
US10688749B2 (en) 2012-11-21 2020-06-23 Airbus Operations Gmbh Panel and method for producing a panel
IT202000000175A1 (it) 2020-01-08 2021-07-08 Persico Spa Processo di stampaggio e relativa macchina di stampaggio

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DE60018334T2 (de) 2005-07-21
DE60018334D1 (de) 2005-04-07
GB2353502A (en) 2001-02-28
EP1078821A3 (de) 2002-01-16
GB9920297D0 (en) 1999-11-03
EP1078821B1 (de) 2005-03-02
US6413613B1 (en) 2002-07-02

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